This week's new meal was on Wednesday, which is usually a very busy, 'grilled cheese and maybe soup' kind of a night.
I was out of cheese though, so had to find something else, and fast.
Found one marinating steak in the freezer.
Grilled it, and tossed it into a pot with a can of tomatoes. Added "About that much" water.
Diced up some carrots, threw them in too.
Tossed in a half cup of rice.
Looked at my concoction, and decided it needed more liquid... poured in about a 1/2 cup milk.
Decided that it needed to be maybe a bit thicker, and added a tablespoon or so of flour.
Looked at the clock, and realized I had to leave :(
Poured the whole thing in the crockpot, added another two cups of water to be sure it wouldn't get dry, Bundled up Buddy, and told Chuck that dinner would be ready when Daddy got home.
It was fairly good too!
Friday, 29 January 2010
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Things I never thought I would say - Part Four
ladies, can you make a circle please.
Preferably, a round one.
Preferably, a round one.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Painting
I have been waffling for about a month now on colour for the bedroom.
This shade yellow & This shade blue... or maybe this yellow.... or do you think that this yellow makes the curtains look washed out??? Or should we go with the yellow, and change the curtains?
One blue wall, three yellow walls?? Two & two? how 'bout top half yellow, bottom half blue.... OR, top half blue, bottom half yellow?
When I left work yesterday, I still had no final decision. BUT, I had primed the room on the weekend, our bed was out, we're camping in the (unheated) basement with a baby monitor upstairs to hear the kids. I got home, tossed out all the paint chips I didn't like, choose two, didn't think about it, didn't look back.
Stopped to make supper.
Drove the carpool to Pathfinders with Hubby.
Got him to drop me off at Home Hardware on the way, drive the girls, and come back for me.
When he came back, I had two gallon cans of paint.
Got home around 7:30, drew my line about three feet up, and started painting the top half yellow.
I started with the top for two reasons:
This shade yellow & This shade blue... or maybe this yellow.... or do you think that this yellow makes the curtains look washed out??? Or should we go with the yellow, and change the curtains?
One blue wall, three yellow walls?? Two & two? how 'bout top half yellow, bottom half blue.... OR, top half blue, bottom half yellow?
When I left work yesterday, I still had no final decision. BUT, I had primed the room on the weekend, our bed was out, we're camping in the (unheated) basement with a baby monitor upstairs to hear the kids. I got home, tossed out all the paint chips I didn't like, choose two, didn't think about it, didn't look back.
Stopped to make supper.
Drove the carpool to Pathfinders with Hubby.
Got him to drop me off at Home Hardware on the way, drive the girls, and come back for me.
When he came back, I had two gallon cans of paint.
Got home around 7:30, drew my line about three feet up, and started painting the top half yellow.
I started with the top for two reasons:
- Yellow is lighter than blue, so if I paint too far down, the blue will cover it up
- Hubby will be doing the ceiling, but not until after I paint. if I do the top, then he can do the ceiling at any time.
Finished the yellow around 10:00 at night. looked at the already taped off, only three feet high, lower half that was going to be blue. It is probably about 1/3 of the space of the yellow.
Got a clean brush & tray.
finished the bottom at 11:30. cleaned up, and fell into bed at 11:45.
I must say, for someone who at 3:30 yesterday had no idea what they were going to do... I got a Heck of a lot done!!
It looks very "Caribbean" we think... I'll post pics in a few days.
Monday, 25 January 2010
More phrases from around the house...
hubby to me this morning: "Do you think he's getting the terribles out before he turns two?"
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Progress...
We've been talking about painting our bedrom for about a month now. Even thogh we haven't choosen a colour yet, we started priming last night.
By this afternoon, we had three walls and part of the ceiling painted. I guess I'd better make a decision really soon about what colour we're gonna go with....
By this afternoon, we had three walls and part of the ceiling painted. I guess I'd better make a decision really soon about what colour we're gonna go with....
Friday, 22 January 2010
52 New Recipes - Week Three
Usually, I swim with Buddy on Friday nights. But Daddy got home in time this week.
While they were swimming, I cooked dinner. This recipe came from a fellow Girl Guide leader:
Ok here’s one. I don’t know the exact quantities so you’ll have to wing it a little. It’s called Oven Fried Chicken and it’s dead simple and really good. The olive oil seems to hold in the juices so they’re really moist. I make extra and then put the leftover on a salad for lunch. My children like it with rice and veg. but the flavour is mild so pasta and a sauce would go well too. Let me know if you try it and how you like it!
You’ll need:
Boneless chicken breasts - 4
Olive oil
Bread crumbs – maybe half a cup – enough to bread all the chicken
Parmasean cheese (grated) – maybe one or two tablespoons
Garlic powder – teaspoon or less if you’re not keen on garlic
Salt and pepper
Trim the fatty bits and the tendon from the chicken breasts. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese, garlic powder, S & P in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Dip the chicken breasts in the olive oil and then in the crumbs to coat. Place them on a baking pan. Bake at 375 for half an hour to 45 mintues – depending on the size this may change. They’re done when internal temperature is 182 degrees or the juices run clear.
It took a little longer to cook than anticipated, but it was really good!
While they were swimming, I cooked dinner. This recipe came from a fellow Girl Guide leader:
Ok here’s one. I don’t know the exact quantities so you’ll have to wing it a little. It’s called Oven Fried Chicken and it’s dead simple and really good. The olive oil seems to hold in the juices so they’re really moist. I make extra and then put the leftover on a salad for lunch. My children like it with rice and veg. but the flavour is mild so pasta and a sauce would go well too. Let me know if you try it and how you like it!
You’ll need:
Boneless chicken breasts - 4
Olive oil
Bread crumbs – maybe half a cup – enough to bread all the chicken
Parmasean cheese (grated) – maybe one or two tablespoons
Garlic powder – teaspoon or less if you’re not keen on garlic
Salt and pepper
Trim the fatty bits and the tendon from the chicken breasts. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese, garlic powder, S & P in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Dip the chicken breasts in the olive oil and then in the crumbs to coat. Place them on a baking pan. Bake at 375 for half an hour to 45 mintues – depending on the size this may change. They’re done when internal temperature is 182 degrees or the juices run clear.
It took a little longer to cook than anticipated, but it was really good!
Things I never thought I would say - Part Three
"Don't forget to take your indoor shoe [singular] to school today!!"
'Cause she hasn't worn a shoe on her left foot in five months now..... I could totally see her wearing her boots in, getting off the bus, and going to get her indoors on.... only to find, she only had one!!
'Cause she hasn't worn a shoe on her left foot in five months now..... I could totally see her wearing her boots in, getting off the bus, and going to get her indoors on.... only to find, she only had one!!
Thursday, 21 January 2010
FINALLY
Finally, I have a cast-less, cane-less, crutch-less Child!!
It was five months ago TODAY that she broke the leg!!
It was five months ago TODAY that she broke the leg!!
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Things I never thought I would say - Part Two
"Don't put Baby [his dolly] in the toilet!!! Baby doesn't need to pee in the toilet!"
Apparently, toilet training is hazardous to dollies
On the plus side, he did put the trainer insert seat onto the toilet first, and then put it back away afterwards, and closed the lid. But Baby's bum is much smaller than his, so it slid right through!
Apparently, toilet training is hazardous to dollies
On the plus side, he did put the trainer insert seat onto the toilet first, and then put it back away afterwards, and closed the lid. But Baby's bum is much smaller than his, so it slid right through!
Monday, 18 January 2010
Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who came out and / or sent a card for my Birthday on Saturday!
It was an excellent day, and I was so happy to see you all!
We've put the new China cabinet in place, and begun loading our treasures into it:
A few weeks ago when I was getting ready for Christmas dinner at our house, I said to Chris that we really should get a proper display cabinet for some things.... little did I know that there was one on the way!
It is a perfect match for the sideboard, which you can see here
It is a perfect match for the sideboard, which you can see here
Thanks all,
Leslie
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Christmas on New Years'
In an attempt to spread out the driving and Christmas celebrations this year, we had one of our Christmas Dinner's on New Years Day.
Hubby decided that since everyone would have had at least one Christmas dinner by this time, that he would plan a "southern" style menu.
This included sweet potato pie, a wild rice casserole, cornbread stuffing, etc:
And for dessert, he made a Lane Cake:
Hubby decided that since everyone would have had at least one Christmas dinner by this time, that he would plan a "southern" style menu.
This included sweet potato pie, a wild rice casserole, cornbread stuffing, etc:
And for dessert, he made a Lane Cake:
Saturday, 16 January 2010
On New Years' Resolutions
This year I made a New years Resolution. This isn't something I normally do.
The goal is to cook one "new" meal weekly.
Week one, I forgot. So not off to a good start. I was going to cook something new on Friday, then on Thursday night signed Buddy up for swimming lessons starting the next night, making Friday a rush, etc.
Week two: Thursday night got home. Remembered the whole "rush" thing from last Friday. Went oh crap, what do I have the ingredients for, that I haven't cooked before. And I actually managed something.
Week three.. hopefully I'll remember to plan ahead a little further!!
The goal is to cook one "new" meal weekly.
Week one, I forgot. So not off to a good start. I was going to cook something new on Friday, then on Thursday night signed Buddy up for swimming lessons starting the next night, making Friday a rush, etc.
Week two: Thursday night got home. Remembered the whole "rush" thing from last Friday. Went oh crap, what do I have the ingredients for, that I haven't cooked before. And I actually managed something.
Week three.. hopefully I'll remember to plan ahead a little further!!
Friday, 15 January 2010
52 New Recipes - Week Two
This week, I arrived home on Thursday, not sure if I was going to be able to make something 'new' or not.
You see, I hadn't planned ahead. So, I didn't know what I was going to cook, and if I had the ingredients.
What I did know was that I did have ingredients for many of my normal standbys.
Anyway, a rummage through the cook books, and I found a recipe for baked Pork.
It was essentially a schnitzel (Which I've never made, but Hubby has), but baked (he usually fry's it). And it was something that I owned everything to make.
ok:
crack an egg. Add about a tbsp milk. Add S & P
Dip pork chops in milk / egg mixture
Dip in breadcrumbs.
Place in baking dish in oven for????
Turn over, and bake for???
Eat.
I added the extra egg & milk into the baking dish, and baked them along with the rest.
You see, I hadn't planned ahead. So, I didn't know what I was going to cook, and if I had the ingredients.
What I did know was that I did have ingredients for many of my normal standbys.
Anyway, a rummage through the cook books, and I found a recipe for baked Pork.
It was essentially a schnitzel (Which I've never made, but Hubby has), but baked (he usually fry's it). And it was something that I owned everything to make.
ok:
crack an egg. Add about a tbsp milk. Add S & P
Dip pork chops in milk / egg mixture
Dip in breadcrumbs.
Place in baking dish in oven for????
Turn over, and bake for???
Eat.
I added the extra egg & milk into the baking dish, and baked them along with the rest.
Swimming
Buddy hasn't taken swimming lesson since last spring.
He started a new round last week.
He started laughing the second his toes touched the water, and giggled for the entire half hour lesson.
He started a new round last week.
He started laughing the second his toes touched the water, and giggled for the entire half hour lesson.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
School Play
Chuck has been in her school's Christmas play for the past several years.
This year, she's at a new school, and there was a Christmas Concert, instead of a play, BUT, instead, there's a spring play.
She tried out, and is in the chorus this year. She has rehersal's for the next FOUR months, then four performances in May.
And now we enter the 'stage' realm again, where I get random calls throughout the day... "I forgot to tell you this morning, but there's a rehersal tonight, and it goes until 4:30.... Can you pick me up?"
This year, she's at a new school, and there was a Christmas Concert, instead of a play, BUT, instead, there's a spring play.
She tried out, and is in the chorus this year. She has rehersal's for the next FOUR months, then four performances in May.
And now we enter the 'stage' realm again, where I get random calls throughout the day... "I forgot to tell you this morning, but there's a rehersal tonight, and it goes until 4:30.... Can you pick me up?"
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Tempting the Universe....
A few days ago, I received an online newsletter that I subscribe to.
This month is started off:
Your toddler, Month 21:
At this point, your toddler should be leaving the temper tantrum stage…
I thought “that’s weird, he hasn’t really had any temper tantrums….”
And the universe heard that thought, and laughed. Loudly.
And since that moment, that moment when I had that thought??? Oh.My.Goodness. The tantrums. The screaming. The WHINING and the Wingeing.
Last night, as he was whining at me I said to him “If you’re gonna cry, at least do a good job of it.”
Twice now, as I’ve been getting him ready for bed, he’s thrown a fit. Twice now, I have left him screaming in his bedroom until he settles down (he can’t quite figure out how to deal with that. “She left? She’s gone? Why am I crying then, since no one is listening?”) And then he calms down, and gets his jammies on.
Last night when I left him screaming in his room, I turned his light off as I left and went downstairs. Which confused him further for a minute or two.
Then he realized, that with no audience, and no light even, not only was there no point in screaming, there was also no point in staying there. So he picked up his bear and blanket, popped his sucky in his mouth, and headed out into the hallway. “Ok, I’ll just camp out here for the night!”
And then was perfectly happy to get his jammies on, give everyone a hug & kiss and go to bed.
And that newsletter?? I think I'm cancelling my subscription.
This month is started off:
Your toddler, Month 21:
At this point, your toddler should be leaving the temper tantrum stage…
I thought “that’s weird, he hasn’t really had any temper tantrums….”
And the universe heard that thought, and laughed. Loudly.
And since that moment, that moment when I had that thought??? Oh.My.Goodness. The tantrums. The screaming. The WHINING and the Wingeing.
Last night, as he was whining at me I said to him “If you’re gonna cry, at least do a good job of it.”
Twice now, as I’ve been getting him ready for bed, he’s thrown a fit. Twice now, I have left him screaming in his bedroom until he settles down (he can’t quite figure out how to deal with that. “She left? She’s gone? Why am I crying then, since no one is listening?”) And then he calms down, and gets his jammies on.
Last night when I left him screaming in his room, I turned his light off as I left and went downstairs. Which confused him further for a minute or two.
Then he realized, that with no audience, and no light even, not only was there no point in screaming, there was also no point in staying there. So he picked up his bear and blanket, popped his sucky in his mouth, and headed out into the hallway. “Ok, I’ll just camp out here for the night!”
And then was perfectly happy to get his jammies on, give everyone a hug & kiss and go to bed.
And that newsletter?? I think I'm cancelling my subscription.
New Milestone reached....
The boy threw up last night for the first time (besides spitting up when he was tiny).
Needless to say, he was not impressed.
Needless to say, he was not impressed.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Let It Snow
I think I post these photos every year... and probably taken shooting the same direction!!
Friday, 8 January 2010
Bringing the Outdoors In
Every year in January, my Guide unit and the Brownie unit that meets in our building does a "Bringing the Outdoors in" meeting.
We start off by telling the girls that we are pretending that it is spring, and we're going to be going camping next week.
It is a great mood booster, especially when there's a couple of feet of snow on the ground.
This year, the stations that we ran were:
Station One – Waterproof a Sleeping Bag (gym one)
Station Two – Pitch a Tent (gym one)
Station Three – Menu Planning(lunchroom)
Station Four – Compasses (gym two)
Station Five – Pack your Camping Backpack (gym two)
Chuckles ran station one, while I ran station five, and the other leaders ran the other three stations.
For a full run down of our meeting, visit here
We start off by telling the girls that we are pretending that it is spring, and we're going to be going camping next week.
It is a great mood booster, especially when there's a couple of feet of snow on the ground.
This year, the stations that we ran were:
Station One – Waterproof a Sleeping Bag (gym one)
Station Two – Pitch a Tent (gym one)
Station Three – Menu Planning(lunchroom)
Station Four – Compasses (gym two)
Station Five – Pack your Camping Backpack (gym two)
Chuckles ran station one, while I ran station five, and the other leaders ran the other three stations.
For a full run down of our meeting, visit here
Monday, 4 January 2010
Christmas Socks
When Hubby and I had our first Christmas together, we realized that we didn't have Christmas socks that 'matched at all (size, shape, etc.). So I sat down one night to a very tired sewing machine, and cranked out three new ones, one for me, one for him, and one for Chuck.
His & mine were done with alternating 'colours,' ie my trim was his main sock fabric, and vice versa.
His & mine were done with alternating 'colours,' ie my trim was his main sock fabric, and vice versa.
His sock:
My sock:
And for
Chuck's I did completly different fabric: 
Last year, for Buddy's first Christmas, I had to crank out another. This time, and I had a fancy, fairly new machine to work with. It went much faster, and much smoother, since the machine didn't jam every minute.
Buddy's Sock:
But I don't think I like his as much as those first three. The trim dosne't really contrast with the sock. I think I'm gonna have to pull it off, and give his a plain white toe & trim for next year.
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